Writing in this week's Radio Times, she wrote: "Splendid as the notion is that women are now seamlessly integrated into every aspect of authority, it is at best wishful thinking - and at worst undermines the fight for equality."

DAC D'Orsi said: "Every day in the Met women are running armed operations, surveillance operations, carrying firearms, supporting victims of crime and abuse, and leading the biggest police force in the country.

"To say women do not exist or are not integrated in these roles is unfair and fails to recognise the achievements of many of my female colleagues."

The Bodyguard cast a series of women in senior policing roles Credit:
PA

She went on: "Television dramas may not completely reflect 'the world as it is', but it is wrong to suggest that how gender is represented in The Bodyguard is inaccurate.

"Seeing women in these critical, important roles will surely inspire women to consider the Met as a career and indeed we have seen a really positive increase in interest as a result of The Bodyguard.

"Television and film has, in my view, a social responsibility to inspire women and young girls to think differently and ambitiously about their career pathways and what they can achieve.

"The visibility of women in these roles in dramas should inspire our female officers to achieve and progress, not make them instantly believe gender is no longer on our agenda as an organisation."